Confidence || Jikook

iii

"Jimin!" Oh god. Jungkook waved like an idiot at the entrance to the school. The day hadn't even begun and the younger was already pestering him.

"What do you want?" Hoseok and Tae looked at the interaction between the two. They didn't know if they should hold in their laughter at what Jungkook held out in front of him.

"I brought you breakfast." Jimin's eyebrow raises in extreme confusion. Didn't he almost beat him up the last time they saw each other? "I figured that we got off on the wrong foot-"

Jimin burst out laughing, snatching the lunch box out of his big hands. "This means nothing." He sways into school with the food that clearly took a long time to make, but doesn't bother to look at the disappointment flash across Jungkook's face.

"H-He's sorry." Hoseok feels for the poor boy, trying to make friends at a new school. "He doesn't mean it, he just... doesn't like change." The younger glances up off the ground to offer the kindest smile you could ever see.

"That's it? It's not that he doesn't like me?"

"That's it." Hobi pats his shoulder, gesturing inside. "Don't worry, he'll warm up to you soon."

¤¤¤

It's almost as if Jimin has an inescapable quality that makes you want to stop and stare at him. Many have fallen prey to it but it hurts Jungkook the most that he seems to be the only one punished for it. What did he do wrong? That was never explained to him so how could he possibly fix it?

How could he stop his stares at him in the classroom or in the hallways? How could he not stop on his way home from school to see the puff of smoke surrounding him like a halo? How could he not realize that he had been staring at the trio of perfection too long that they had noticed? "What are you looking at Jungkook?" Even his tone of voice was sweet to his ears. Unfortunately he didn't know that instead of having healing properties, Jimin used it as a weapon. To paralyze you until he was ready to strike. "Is there something you like?"

Jungkook was sweating now. The smoke engolfed him, burning his eyes. He wanted to burst out coughing, he wasn't used to this atmosphere. "U-uh no I mean I don't know..." How could he respond?

"You're an open book Jungkook-ah..." He twitched at the endearing nickname. "I can see right. Through. You." He felt like a dear in headlights when Jimin strode over, unconsciously stepping backwards into the wall. "You're into me aren't you?" Jimin smiles. What's happening? What was he trying to do?

"N-no I don't. I have no idea what-"

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone is." He shrugs, turning back to his confused friends.

"I-I..." He had to think quick. "I came because I h-had to stop you from s-smoking that... it's bad for you." Sure. Why not.

The trio exchanges glances at each other before they burst out laughing. "You really don't get out much, do you?" Hoseok intervened, finding Jungkook's situation humorous.

"Looks like we have to teach him the rules around here, right guys?" His head tilted as he walked towards Jungkook.

Hoseok and Taehyung speculated the situation before them. Hoseok was truly perplexed on what Jimin had in mind. He never boasts to people in front of them, he never smiles, and now he's acting like he'll hurt Jungkook without a reason. What's gotten into him? "Teach him?"

Jungkook looks like he's about to shit himself. He is still pressed up against the brick by an invisible force it would seem, not even trying to escape. "T-Teach me what?"

Jimin smirks again. "Oh not much... Only that, if you have a problem with us-" He pauses to punch Jungkook in the stomach, the younger now bent over gasping for air. "You should tell us directly so we can solve it." Hoseok was bewildered at the scene unfolding in front of him. "If you ever tell anyone else-" Jimin kicks his bent over shape, causing him to fall on all fours. "About these problems, we'll make sure to talk it out with you as well." Taehyung looked away from the boy who was now in a fetal position on the ground. What would he say? Would he even say it?

"Jimin." Hoseok looked more concerned than anything but Taehyung knew he was broken up inside.

"Yes? You have a problem as well?"

Taehyung knew that Hoseok wanted to believe in Jimin. His head hangs low in shame. "No."

He wanted to believe so bad. "Well I think that was a very educational experience. I think we're done here." The small being of hatred stepped over his victim before grabbing his things. "Let's go."

Jimin leaves first, Hoseok debating whether or not he should help the struggling boy. He doesn't. Taehyung grabs his things after Hoseok left and he contemplates his actions as well. When he and Jungkook lock eyes, he decided he couldn't leave then. So he reached over and stuck out his hand.

At first he thought it was a joke but then Taehyung waved his hand to emphasize that he's there to help. It takes a while to get up and grab his things but the brunette is there, every step of the way. "Thank you." Jungkook mutters quietly. Taehyung doesn't respond, carrying his stuff to his house for him. "Even if it was a little late." He knows Jimin went too far but he wouldn't admit that to the beat up kid. "He must have you guys wrapped around his finger huh?"

In more ways than one. "He's not like that." Was Taehyung's only comment the entire walk home. Jungkook didn't think much of it because he didn't know Taehyung was a selective mute. He didn't know that everything he said was of great importance. He didn't know that he witnessed a rarity.

"Of course he isn't." The younger shakes his head, taking away his things from his new companion. "Thank you for walking me home." The red head nods, turning around to go home. "Bye!" Taehyung waves without looking back.

As soon as the lock clicks behind him, his parents rush over like a pack of dogs that have been home all day, barging him with questions. "Honey, where have you been? It's only a 10 minute walk from school!"

"Why are you so dirty?"

"Why do you smell like smoke? Is that what you were doing? Smoking?"

"Why are you answering us?"

Jungkook sighs, throwing his bookbag next to the living room couch. "Oh my god you were molested weren't you! We should have never stopped homesch-"

"Mom! Dad! Just leave me alone! I need... time. To breathe, to think." His shoulders slump over as he drags his feet towards the stairs.

"Who was it? Who were you with? Let me know, I'll tell the board."

He pauses mid step, hand on railing. He's not like that. "No one. Don't worry about it."

Bruh tell me why I'm a full time student, part time worker and full time nonsense doer???? I need to stop myselffff